MANCHESTER — Two of the winners of Hildene’s annual Lincoln essay contest were students at local schools.

While first place winner Isaac Dodson, who won $1,000, is a student at Edmunds Middle School in Burlington, second place winner Sarah Mangiacotti, who received $750, is a dual student at Maple Street School in Manchester and Stratton Mountain School. There was a tie for third place, for which both students won $500, between James Reilly, of the Maple Street School, and Rebecca Berlind, of Edmunds School.

The winners of the 2013 Hildene Lincoln essay competition were selected from 145 entries submitted by eighth-grade public, independent and home study students coming from 30 Vermont schools.

“The program’s goal is to promote awareness in the minds of a young generation of Americans of the contributions of this nation’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. This is an objective that fits squarely within Hildene’s mission: Values into Action,” said Hildene executive director Seth Bongartz.

This year’s subject was, “Is civil discourse necessary for civil society?” The essays could be no longer than 500 words and were evaluated by a panel of judges based on the content, the student’s understanding of the subject and his or her ability to convey that understanding using good writing practices including style, composition, factual accuracy and grammar.

A celebratory luncheon will be hosted by Hildene at the Lincoln family estate on May 19, following a tour of the Lincoln family home.

Each winner, along with their parents, teacher and principal will be invited to attend. The first, second and third place winners will read their essays at the event.